Cardo Hernandez, Driver of Ex-DPWH Usec Maria Catalina Cabral, Speaks on Events Before Boss’ Death
Driver of ex-DPWH Usec. Maria Catalina Cabral, Cardo Hernandez, recalled the events prior to her death in Benguet.
Countless Filipinos were shocked when former DPWH Usec. Maria Catalina Cabral was found dead due to an alleged fall from a cliff in Tuba, Benguet. The police authorities recovered Cabral’s body around 20 to 30 meters deep along the banks of the Bued River at Kennon Road.
Cardo Hernandez, the driver of ex-DPWH Usec Maria Catalina Cabral, was supposedly the last person that she was with. According to him, he left Cabral along the Kennon Road alone allegedly upon the request of the former DPWH Undersecretary.
The remains of Cabral was brought to a local funeral parlor. Based on a report on ABS-CBN News, the driver of ex-DPWH Usec Maria Catalina Cabral recently recalled the events prior to the death of the former public works official. According to him, his boss told him that they will drive to Baguio from Manila to relax.
“Umaga po dito po kami sa may Kennon Road, nagtambay po kami nagpapalipas po ng ano, parang ano lang po, magtatangal ng stress. Tapos po pinaalis po kami ng mga pulis,” he said.
The driver of ex-DPWH Usec Maria Catalina Cabral claimed that the police authorities allegedly told them to leave because they stopped at an accident-prone area. According to him, from there, they went straight to Baguio and eat. They also checked in to a hotel.
Cardo Hernandez further claimed that former DPWH Usec. Maria Catalina Cabral asked him that they will return to the Kennon Road. Based on the report, they allegedly arrived there at 2:30 p.m. and she supposedly told him to leave her for a while.
“Bago ko naman iwan, nakaupo po siya dun sa may bato. Sabi niya balikan ko na lang siya. Pagbalik ko siguro mga 1 hour, nakita ko binalikan ko, wala na po dito sa pwesto niya,” the driver of ex-DPWH Usec Cabral said.
Based on the report, Hernandez further claimed that he tried to check on the bottom of the cliff but he’s also afraid that he might fall. According to him, he tried asking the people in the nearby areas, too, if they have seen her. He further claimed that he returned to the hotel to check if she’s there before she reported to the police authorities.
The driver of ex-DPWH Sec. Maria Catalina Cabral claimed that his boss was mostly silent during their trip. According to him, her aura was allegedly fine, too. He was her driver for 7 years.
“Okay naman po ang aura niya, hindi naman po siya ganon kalungkot, wala naman po sa mukha niya na ganon ang mangyayari,” the driver said.
Former DPWH Usec. Maria Catalina Cabral was one of the former officials of the public works department who were tagged in the flood control mess. Amid the issue, the DPWH recently announced that they will be conducting a massive recruitment starting January.